The Environment Ministry has announced that African cheetahs currently housed at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park will begin their phased release into the wild starting at the end of October.
Officials confirmed that the cheetahs will be released into large, unfenced areas within the park to facilitate their transition back into their natural habitat. The initial phase will involve the release of two cheetahs, Vayu and Agni, allowing authorities to monitor their adaptation before proceeding with additional releases. An official stated, “We will see how they respond in the wild and then we will release more.”
Challenges and Achievements in Project Cheetah
This initiative is part of India’s first intercontinental translocation of the species, which involved bringing 20 cheetahs to Kuno National Park—eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Despite facing challenges, including the deaths of eight adult cheetahs, the project has seen success in breeding, with 17 cubs born, of which 12 have survived. Currently, there are 24 cheetahs in Kuno, but none have been released into the wild yet.
Expansion Plans for Cheetah Population
Authorities have been in discussions with other states, including Rajasthan and additional districts in Madhya Pradesh, to ensure coordinated efforts for the rewilding project. Preparations are also underway to potentially introduce cheetahs to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
Furthermore, the Environment Ministry is negotiating with South Africa and Kenya to bring in additional cheetahs. Senior officials stated, “We are looking to augment prey and remove species which might be dangerous for them.”
